Prevalence of Carotid Artery Calcification on Digital Panoramic Radiographs in Hemodialysis Patients on Kidney Transplant Waiting List

Objectives: The detection of carotid artery calcification at an early stage is important to reduce the effects of cardiovascular disease in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study sought to evaluate the prevalence of carotid artery calcification from panoramic radiographs of patients who were undergoing hemodialysis and to assess the relationship between such calcification and certain medical and periodontal parameters. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 120 panoramic radiographs from patients who were undergoing hemodialysis for the presence of carotid artery calcification. Full-mouth periodontal clinical and medical parameters were recorded, and patients were diagnosed on the basis of the new periodontal disease classification. Patient medical records from the same period (the same week) during which the panoramic radiographs were taken were also assessed. Results: Among the 120 participating patients, panoramic radiographs from 27 patients (22.5%) showed a uni- or bilaterally radiopaque mass. Of the periodontal clinical parameters investigated for associations between patients with and without carotid artery calcification, there was only a significant difference shown for probing pocket depth (P =.017). No significant differences were found between the groups with and without carotid artery calcification with regard to any other medical or periodontal parameter. Conclusions: In our study group, suspected carotid artery calcifications were detected on panoramic radiographs in about one-fourth of total patients receiving hemodialysis. Because of the significant relationship found between probing pocket depth and carotid artery calcification, the presence of periodontal disease may be associated with calcifications in these patients. Dentists should maintain awareness in detecting these lesions when evaluating panoramic radiographs of patients undergoing hemodialysis.